Search Results (103)

Rapid urbanization, rising energy consumption, and the environmental pressures of the 21st century have led the construction sector to focus on sustainable design solutions to protect the natural environment and combat climate change. Technological advances are leading to an increasing number of ultratall buildings. However, due to the complex issues involved, these structures currently serve primarily as symbols and serve as testing grounds for technological innovation. Therefore, there is a clear need to analyze the issues involved in designing high-rise buildings sustainably in the context of contemporary environmental challenges. Global multi-criteria certifications exist to establish parameters verifying a building’s impact on its surroundings. This study systematically assessed the sustainable strategies of the world’s twenty tallest buildings using a four-category model: A—passive design, B—active mechanical systems, C—renewable energy integration, and D—materials, water, and circularity strategies. The quantitative assessment (0–60) was supplemented with qualitative analysis and correlational research, including LEED certification. A novel element of the study is a multi-criteria comparative analysis, culminating in an assessment of the degree of implementation of sustainable development strategies in the world’s tallest buildings and linking the results to LEED certification levels. The results identify categories requiring further improvement. The results indicate that Merdeka 118 (46.7%), followed One World Trade Center (43.3%) and Shanghai Tower (41.7%) received the highest scores. Category B dominated all buildings, categories A and D demonstrated moderate implementation, and category C demonstrated the lowest performance due to economic and technical constraints at extreme heights. LEED Platinum-certified buildings demonstrated significantly higher levels of technology integration than Gold or non-certified buildings. The study results emphasize the need for integrating passive design strategies early in the design process, improving renewable energy solutions, and long-term operational monitoring supported by digital tools (such as IoT and digital twins). Full article

Many countries have green building certification systems to rate a green building. They have played a pivotal role in promoting the adoption of green buildings. South Korea has also launched its green building certification, known as the Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design (G-SEED), to promote sustainable development. However international information and understanding of Korea’s green building certification were insufficient, and no technical assessments related to G-SEED have been conducted. Therefore, to address this knowledge gap, this study aimed to analyze the situation of G-SEED-certified buildings in South Korea and the limitations of G-SEED. In this paper, we focused on the certification status, regional distribution, types of certified buildings, and technical content of G-SEED. Additionally, we analyzed green building technologies applied to 48 sample buildings certified in 2020. Several proposals were formulated to promote the adoption of green buildings. All large cities and provinces in Korea have G-SEED-certified buildings, indicating that green building awareness is increasing. However, the number of green buildings remains less than the overall building stock. The government should revise the certification criteria and implement measures to disseminate green building technologies. Our findings will promote the development of green buildings and contribute to the sustainable development of the construction industry. Full article

The concept of green building has become important, as sustainability issues have been acknowledged in the construction industry. Green building certification systems have emerged to measure the sustainability of buildings. While there are numerous studies on green building certification systems, studies evaluating green schools are quite limited, even though green schools not only ensure the health and comfort of students and teachers but also play a role in raising sustainability awareness, especially among growing children. First, a detailed literature review was conducted in this study that identified eight common issues, namely “project management processes”, “land selection and transportation/location”, “energy”, “indoor environmental quality”, “water”, “waste”, “materials” and “innovation”, which were extensively used to evaluate green schools. Four green building certification systems that emerged in developing countries and four systems that existed in advanced countries were compared relative to these eight issues. The weaknesses of the eight certification systems and the fundamental differences between advanced and developing countries were identified, and suggestions for improvements were presented. It was concluded that it is not enough to consider green schools only as buildings that rely on sustainable design and construction but also as important institutions that contribute to the adoption of the concept of sustainability. Consequently, it was found that it is important to create special green certification systems for schools. Full article

Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) have emerged in Latin America as an alternative to conventional market-driven certification, offering a community-based framework to validate sustainable agricultural and social practices. Rooted in collective responsibility and dialogue between producers, consumers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and state institutions, PGS aim to empower smallholders by reducing certification costs and strengthening agroecological transitions. This review examines their development across diverse Latin American contexts, highlighting both their innovative potential and the persistent challenges that limit their scalability and formal recognition. A literature-based approach combined with a stakeholder analysis was employed, integrating case studies from Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, and other countries. To systematize findings, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) and TOWS (Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Strengths) frameworks were applied, assessing strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of producers and consumers and formulating strategies to enhance resilience and legitimacy. Results show that PGS foster social capital, technical learning, and access to local markets; however, they are constrained by high time commitments, reliance on voluntary labour, uneven participation, and limited consumer awareness. The analysis indicates that the most promising pathway is a combination of growth strategies, including leveraging short supply chains, community-based fairs, and digital platforms, with recovery strategies centred on consumer education and producer capacity building. More conservative strategies remain crucial in specific contexts: redistributing workloads, introducing compensation for administrative tasks, and strengthening conflict mediation can help preserve system viability when engagement or resources are scarce. Defence strategies, aimed at reinforcing autonomy and reducing dependence on external actors, are better conceived as long-term goals under current conditions. Full article

The technocratic and economically driven approach to urban and industrial planning can be observed in the evolution of modern logistics parks, which have become key infrastructural elements of regional development. This study explores how technocratic logic influences the spatial and environmental transformation of logistics parks in Poland within the context of sustainable certification systems such as BREEAM International (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). The research employed an eight-stage methodological framework combining exploratory, analytical, and empirical methods. The process began with a comprehensive literature and data query on the development of logistics parks at global, European, and national levels, followed by a systematic review of sustainability assessment systems. A research framework was then defined to establish a consistent model of warehouse buildings, verified through the PLGBC database of certified facilities. The dataset was filtered and standardized, and a purposive sample of 25 BREEAM-certified warehouses was selected from 150 eligible cases. Each certification report was analyzed to identify credit distribution patterns, and the results were examined through a factor analysis to interpret the technocratic and systemic determinants influencing sustainability decisions. The findings reveal that the decision-making logic of developers is dominated by quantitative optimization and regulatory alignment, leading to the prioritization of low-cost, easily verifiable credits such as ENE03 (External Lighting) and WAT02 (Water Monitoring), while complex or innovative credits such as MAT06 (Material Efficiency) remain under implemented. The study contributes to the understanding of how technocratic rationality shapes sustainable certification outcomes and highlights the need for stronger policy and market incentives to promote circular and systemic approaches in the logistics real estate sector. Full article

Post-industrial cities across Europe are undergoing profound transformation, where sustainable building design plays an increasingly strategic role in redefining urban identity and function. The transition toward sustainable urban environments requires innovative construction technologies and performance-driven standards. This study examines the role of sustainable building design in post-industrial urban regeneration, focusing on Katowice, Poland—a city undergoing significant socio-spatial and economic transformation. Through descriptive case studies of selected buildings, the research highlights how high-performance construction techniques, including advanced insulation, energy-efficient ventilation, and integrated daylighting, contribute to prestigious certifications while reducing energy demand for heating, cooling, and lighting. Beyond technical performance, the analyzed projects demonstrate how sustainable buildings can act as catalysts for post-industrial urban renewal, fostering social engagement, environmental responsibility, and architectural innovation. The novelty of this work lies in linking building-scale sustainability interventions with city-scale urban transformation dynamics, offering practical insights for similar post-industrial contexts in Central and Eastern Europe. This research provides the first comparative analysis of certified and non-certified sustainable buildings in the context of post-industrial regeneration in this region. The post-industrial revitalization of Katowice is largely driven by advancements in building energy systems, such as high-efficiency HVAC technologies and other sustainable solutions. The findings demonstrate that sustainable architecture can act as a tangible driver of social, economic, and spatial renewal, providing practical insights for post-industrial regeneration strategies across similar urban contexts. Full article

Contract manufacturing is a pivotal strategy for brand owners, yet small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies struggle to evolve beyond transactional roles into sustainable strategic partners. This study addresses this gap by empirically validating and refining the Mahove–Matope Sustainable Contract Manufacturing Company Maturity Model (SCMC-MM), a novel framework designed to guide SMEs through a holistic transformation. Through a seven-month longitudinal case study grounded in design science research approach within a South African food manufacturing SME, the model was implemented and evaluated using structured assessments, in-depth interviews, and longitudinal operational data. The application catalysed a system-wide transformation, yielding significant results, including a 133% increase in revenue, ISO 22000 certification, and perfect delivery reliability. Furthermore, the study theoretically refines the framework by identifying and incorporating novel critical success factors for contract manufacturing companies, such as industrial clustering and transformational leadership. The results demonstrate that the SCMC-MM offers a practical, actionable, and scalable tool for building resilient supply chain partnerships. It provides a structured pathway for SMEs to achieve simultaneous gains in economic performance, social equity through enhanced workforce capability and ethical practices, and environmental stewardship via formalised safety, health, and environmental and risk management systems, thereby contributing directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 9 in emerging markets. Full article

The construction industry is one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally impactful sectors, responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, over one-third of energy consumption, and a significant share of raw material depletion. These figures underscore the urgent need to transform conventional approaches to project delivery and resource management. Integrating construction management with environmental engineering offers a comprehensive pathway to enhance efficiency, mitigate environmental pressures, and align the sector with international sustainability commitments. This paper presents a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 to evaluate sustainable practices that connect these two domains. The review focuses on five thematic areas: project delivery and management strategies with sustainability goals, environmental engineering tools such as pollution control and life cycle assessment, green certification frameworks, waste reduction and circular economy practices, and the integration of emerging digital and material technologies. Together, these areas illustrate how managerial systems and engineering solutions can jointly foster sustainable outcomes. The review indicates notable progress in fields such as green certification adoption, the use of Building Information Modeling for resource efficiency, and advanced recycling technologies. However, persistent challenges remain. These include the uneven uptake of sustainable practices between developed and developing economies, limited application of digital innovations such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, and insufficient policy coordination to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By synthesizing dispersed insights across disciplines, this review contributes an integrated perspective that clarifies current achievements, highlights unresolved gaps, and suggests directions for future research and practice. The analysis is intended to support policymakers, industry professionals, and scholars in accelerating the transition toward a more resource-efficient and environmentally responsible construction sector. Full article

The escalating demand for sustainable development in the built environment necessitates the integration of innovative, system-based assessment tools. This study investigates the role of energy efficiency (EE) within a nature-inspired sustainability assessment framework, drawing from biomimicry principles to evaluate green building practices in South Africa. Grounded in the ethos of nature’s efficiency, such as closed-loop energy systems, passive energy use, efficiency through form and function, and decentralised and localised energy generation, this study identifies and prioritises key EE criteria, including efficient energy management, renewable energy optimisation, passive heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and energy-saving technologies. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), this research engaged 38 highly experienced, practising, and registered construction professionals to perform pairwise comparisons of EE criteria. Results revealed that efficient energy management (29.8%) emerged as the most significant factor, followed closely by energy-saving equipment (26.4%), with strong expert consensus (consistency ratio = 0.03). The findings reflect a convergence of ecological wisdom and industry expertise, suggesting that nature’s design strategies offer a compelling roadmap for achieving sustainable energy performance in buildings. This study reinforces the applicability of biomimicry in shaping context-specific sustainability metrics and informs the development of adaptive, ecologically aligned certification frameworks. This study recommends the integration of these EE criteria into building rating systems, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and scaling nature-based frameworks to inform global sustainability practice. By bridging theory and application, this study advances a regenerative approach to construction that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and long-term environmental resilience. Full article

Nigeria’s aquaculture sector, which has been dominated by the production of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), has held considerable potential to improve national food security, support livelihoods, and contribute to economic growth. Although Nigeria has been ranked among the world’s leading producers of farmed catfish, a persistent fish supply deficit that exceeds 2.5 million metric tons annually has been reported. This gap has been sustained by factors such as low productivity, genetic decline, inadequate hatchery systems, and limited export competitiveness. A comprehensive perspective is presented in this review, in which findings from recent researches, field surveys, and stakeholder consultations have been synthesized. The dominance of hybrid species such as Heteroclarias, which has been driven by consumer demand due to fast growth and large body size, is highlighted. Additionally, ecological and genetic concerns resulting from unregulated breeding are emphasized. Major systemic constraints, which include poor broodstock management, weak hatchery infrastructure, low technical capacity, and poor supply chain governance, have also been identified. A strategic approach involves modernizing fish breeding programs by developing a robust and active Fish Breeding Community of Practice (FCoP), enhancing physical infrastructure, improving data collection and management, standardizing germplasm exchange procedures, and increasing the number and capacity of fish breeders and technicians in breeding programs. Identifying traits preferred by farmers and end-users ensures that fish breeding is demand-driven and inclusive. Building capacity in genomic resources to implement an accurate predictive platform for performance assessment will significantly shorten the breeding cycle and increase the rate of genetic progress. This will be complemented by the adoption of modern aquaculture technologies, such as recirculating aquaculture systems, and the development of institutional frameworks for production, certification, and traceability schemes. Capacity development, which should be promoted through collaboration among academic institutions, industry actors, and government agencies, has been recommended. The alignment of aquaculture expansion with environmental sustainability, improved biosecurity, and habitat protection has been considered critical. By outlining strategies for innovation, investment, and policy reform, this review provides a roadmap through which Nigeria’s catfish industry can be transformed into a globally competitive and sustainable sector. Full article

In the context of China’s increasingly competitive agricultural product branding, authenticity has become a pivotal mechanism for shaping consumer trust and willingness to pay. This study takes Perceived Brand Authenticity (PBA) as its focal construct and builds a chained mediation framework incorporating experiential quality (EQ) and consumer trust. Employing a dual-evidence strategy that combines structural discovery and causal validation, the study integrates Jaccard similarity clustering and PLS-SEM to examine both behavioral patterns and psychological mechanisms. Drawing on 636 valid survey responses from across China, the results reveal clear segmentation in channel choice, certification concern, and premium acceptance by gender, age, income, and education. Younger and highly educated consumers rely more on e-commerce and digital traceability, while middle-aged, older, and higher-income groups emphasize geographical indications and organic certification. The empirical analysis confirms that PBA has a significant positive effect on EQ and consumer trust, and that the chained mediation pathway “PBA → EQ → Trust → Purchase Intention” robustly captures the transmission mechanism of authenticity. The findings demonstrate that verifiable and consistent authenticity signals not only shape cross-group consumption structures but also strengthen trust and repurchase intentions through enhanced experiential quality. The core contribution of this study lies in advancing an evidence-based framework for sustainable agricultural branding. Theoretically, it reconceptualizes authenticity as a measurable governance mechanism rather than a rhetorical construct. Methodologically, it introduces a dual-evidence approach integrating Jaccard clustering and PLS-SEM to bridge structural and causal analyses. Practically, it proposes two governance tools—“evidence density” and “experiential variance”—which translate authenticity into actionable levers for precision marketing, trust management, and policy regulation. Together, these insights offer a replicable model for authenticity governance and consumer trust building in sustainable agri-food systems. Full article

This systematic review examines the role of rural tourism in promoting sustainable development, focusing on its interaction with forest ecosystems and the essential ecosystem services they provide. A comprehensive literature search across Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar identified 142 peer-reviewed articles, analyzed through qualitative synthesis and bibliometric mapping. The review highlights four thematic clusters in rural tourism research: impacts on rural areas, destination management, resident perspectives and cultural sustainability, and emerging themes like place attachment. It emphasizes the reliance of rural tourism on ecosystem services, including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting, especially those linked to forest ecosystems. Examples from Monteverde, Costa Rica, and Tuscany, Italy, illustrate the role of rural tourism in supporting biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, and sustainable agriculture. However, uncontrolled tourism in forested regions can lead to deforestation and ecosystem degradation, as seen in the Lake District, Masai Mara, and Rajasthan. The review stresses the need for sustainable practices to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism, advocating for an integrated sustainability framework that balances economic, environmental, and governance aspects. Best practices include eco-friendly infrastructure, community participation, and environmental education. The potential of emerging technologies, such as eco-certification systems and smart tourism, is explored to reduce the environmental footprint of tourism. The review calls for stronger policy integration, equitable benefit-sharing, capacity building, and longitudinal research to ensure resilient rural tourism that harmonizes ecosystem conservation with socio-economic development. In conclusion, the integration of sustainable practices and community involvement is crucial for aligning rural tourism with forest ecosystem conservation. Full article

This study presents a novel integrative review of 329 review articles on sustainable buildings from 2015 to 2025, combining quantitative bibliometrics with qualitative insights to map the field’s evolution and pinpoint critical future pathways. Seven core research themes were identified in this study: (1) material and advanced construction technologies, (2) energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, (3) digitalization and smart technologies, (4) policy, standards, and certification, (5) sustainable design and optimization, (6) stakeholder and socio-economic factors, (7) other (cross-cutting) topics. Key findings reveal a surge in publications post-2020, driven by global net-zero commitments, with China, Australia, and Hong Kong leading research output. Innovations in low-carbon materials (e.g., hemp concrete, geopolymers), artificial intelligent (AI)-driven energy optimization, and digital tools (e.g., building information modeling (BIM), internet of things (IoT)) dominate recent advancements. However, challenges persist, including policy fragmentation, scalability barriers for sustainable materials, and socio-economic disparities in green building adoption. The study proposes a unique future research framework emphasizing nanotechnology-enhanced materials, interpretable AI models, harmonized global standards, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. This review provides actionable recommendations to bridge gaps between technological innovation, policy frameworks, and practical implementation in sustainable construction. Full article

Cities are significant contributors to climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion. To address these challenges, sustainable strategies in building design, construction, and management are essential, and digitalisation through the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can enable it. However, the environmental benefits of BIM–LCA integration remain underexplored, limiting broader practical adoption. This study systematically reviews 80 case studies (2015–2025) to assess how recent applications address known barriers and to identify enablers of successful BIM–LCA workflows. The analysis highlights a growing alignment between technological, regulatory, and methodological advancements and practical implementation needs, especially as technical barriers are increasingly overcome. Nevertheless, systemic challenges related to institutional, behavioural, and socio-economic factors persist. From a stakeholder perspective, four thematic drivers were identified: material circularity and resource efficiency; integration with complementary assessment tools; energy-performance strategies for comfort and efficiency; and alignment with international certification systems. The study offers a stakeholder-oriented framework that demonstrates the multi-level value of BIM–LCA integration not only for environmental impact assessment but to support informed decision-making and reduce resource consumption. These insights aim to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation, contributing to the advancement of sustainable practices in the built environment. Full article

In response to the global push for sustainable development, green building certification systems have become a key policy instrument for reducing carbon emissions in the construction sector. In Taiwan, the EEWH (Ecology, Energy Saving, Waste Reduction, and Health) system serves as the primary framework for evaluating building sustainability. However, while government incentives such as floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses aim to encourage adoption, private sector participation remains limited, especially in the residential sector. This study investigates the cost implications and incentive benefits of upgrading green building certification from the Silver level to the Gold level under the EEWH system, using eight collective housing projects in the Taipei metropolitan area as case studies. Through a detailed analysis of certification components, upgrade strategies, and construction cost estimates, this research quantifies the additional costs required for each sustainability indicator and evaluates the alignment between upgrade investments and incentive rewards. The findings reveal that the average cost increase associated with the Silver-to-Gold upgrade ranges between 1% and 3% of total construction costs, with certain design strategies offering high cost-effectiveness. Moreover, the study examines whether the current FAR bonus policy provides adequate motivation for developers to pursue higher certification levels. The results provide valuable insights for policymakers seeking to optimize incentive structures and for developers considering sustainable building investments. Full article